Modernizing Navigation: USCG’s Proposal to Remove Buoys off Massachusetts

What’s Being Proposed?

In April 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) First District, which includes Massachusetts, launched a Coastal Buoy Modernization Initiative. As part of this effort, the Coast Guard is proposing to discontinue approximately 351 coastal buoys across New England—around 145 of which are in Maine—with hundreds more harbor buoys and beacons under review. Overall, as many as 2,700 aids to navigation could be removed along the northeastern coast through 2029.

These proposed changes would affect about 6% of the total federally maintained navigation aids in the region.

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Why the Change?

The Coast Guard cites several reasons for the modernization initiative:

1. Technological Advancements – Today’s mariners rely on GPS, electronic charts, AIS, radar, and mobile apps that provide accurate, real-time navigation information.

2. Operational Efficiency – Removing less critical buoys allows the Coast Guard to better allocate resources and maintain the most essential aids to navigation.

3. Risk Management – A leaner system, focused on priority locations, may be more resilient and easier to maintain, especially during emergencies or technology disruptions.

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Local Pushback: Safety Concerns

Boaters & Harbormasters

Many Massachusetts mariners are voicing concern, particularly in areas like Salem, Boston Harbor, and the Cape. While electronic tools are widely used, buoys remain vital for real-time situational awareness—especially in foggy, rocky, or shifting channels.

Salem’s harbormaster and Boston boating advocates have highlighted the importance of buoys for both professional and recreational mariners, citing concerns over vessel collisions, groundings, and loss of backup navigation when electronics fail.

Municipal Officials

Across Cape Cod, officials have pushed back strongly. In Barnstable County, commissioners unanimously opposed the proposed removal of approximately 30 local buoys, citing the area’s challenging visibility conditions and dynamic waterways. Town leaders in Chatham emphasized the regularity of dense fog and the danger of navigating without physical markers.

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Political Response & Request for Delay

New England senators have called on the Coast Guard to slow down the process, urging more extensive engagement with coastal communities. They’ve requested:

• A delay in any removals until at least October 1, 2026

• An extended public comment period through September 1, 2025

• A more user-friendly feedback platform beyond email-only submissions

Their concern is that while modernization is important, it should not come at the expense of local knowledge or maritime safety.

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What Happens Next—And How You Can Help

• Comment Deadline: Currently set for June 13, 2025. Mariners are encouraged to email feedback to the Coast Guard detailing their vessel type, size, frequency of use, and how specific buoys support safe navigation.

• Interactive Maps: Tools are available online to explore which buoys are under review in your area.

• Timeline: Final decisions are expected later in 2025. If not delayed, removals could begin as early as fall 2026.

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Blog Takeaway

The Coast Guard’s modernization effort reflects a shift toward a more technology-driven navigation system. However, many in Massachusetts and across New England believe that traditional buoys remain essential—especially in complex, fog-prone waters where electronics can fail or mislead.

As the region adapts to the future of navigation, it’s clear that mariners, local officials, and everyday boaters want to ensure that modernization doesn’t come at the cost of safety. The next few months offer a critical chance for coastal voices to weigh in—and help shape a balanced solution that combines innovation with real-world experience.